Desperation had now made me brave.
"Now, _do_ let us be serious," said the lady, presently.
She apparently found it difficult to stifle her laughter at the humour of the whole thing:--it was really such a very good joke! "I _am_ serious, Mrs Clyde," I said, half-petulantly, although I tried to be impressive.

I was solemn enough over it all; but, my temper has always been, unfortunately for me, too easily provoked.
"I never heard of such a thing in my life," she continued, taking no notice, apparently, either of me or of my answer.

"Fancy, any sane person talking of love and marriage between a boy and girl like that! You must be joking, Mr Lorton.

Really, it is too absurd to be credible!" and she affected a laugh again, in her provoking way.
A capital joke, wasn't it?
"I am not joking, I assure you, Mrs Clyde," I answered sturdily, endeavouring, vainly, to bear down her raillery by my gravity.

"I was never more serious in my life.